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Philadelphia, also called Philly, is the 6th largest city in the country and the largest in the state of Pennsylvania. The city has around 1.5 million inhabitants, nearly 6 million agglomeration included.
Historically the first capital of the United States, the city is one of the cradles of the birth of the country. Nevertheless, since the 1950s, the city is experiencing a social crisis as well as economic and demographic troubles.
In the last few years, the city reborn again…

Founder City In The United States

It was in Philadelphia that the First Continental Congress was set; a meeting that brought together almost all the US colonies that signed the Declaration of Independence in July 4, 1776.
The US Constitution was drafted in 1787; yet Philadelphia was established the first capital of the United States in 1789-1799.
The city was also an important cultural center in the eighteenth century, under the leadership of Benjamin Franklin in particular, who founded the prestigious University of Pennsylvania and the American Philosophical Society.
Today, Philadelphia is home to many federal agencies, including the federal government, which employs over 30 000 people.

An Old Industrial City Facing a Boom

In the eighteenth and nineteenth century, Philadelphia was a major industrial city. Agriculture, coal and textiles, metallurgy, papermaking were the city main assets.
It was also known as a pioneer state in the construction of roads and railways.
SPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority), founded in 1965, is part of that legacy. Providing bus networks, subways and trains in five counties in the region, it is the fifth largest network in the United States and is yet to be now one of the largest employers in the city.
However, like many other industrial cities, since the 50s, when the city had 2 million inhabitants, Philadelphia is experiencing a social crisis, economic and demographic.
Between 1950 and 2000, the city lost more than 480 000 inhabitants and according to the US Census Bureau, in 2006, the rate of people living below the poverty line reached 24.5%, almost twice the average national (13.3%).
In recent years, however, the efforts of rehabilitation and economic revitalization around service activities, become predominant (financial services, telecommunications…) gave a boost to the city. Today, the sectors are the legal, financial, pharmaceutical industries and port activities.

What Makes The Main Line Are Attractive

Main Line is the name given to the western suburban area of the city of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, which runs northwest from downtown Philadelphia parallel to Lancaster Avenue.
It goes from Bryn Mawr and up to Paoli. It is an area of about 200 square miles west of Philly. To know more about the Main Line, please visit the Wikipedia page.

The Real Estate Market in 2015 in Main Line Pennsylvania

Real estate sales in Main line Pennsylvania remained at a slower pace during December and decreased accessibility related to prices is slowing potential buyers, according to Main Line Home Center and recent reports issued by the local Press. The few house sales have been attributed largely to low inventory for months, but many markets have seen an increase in them as sales continue to fall early January. Several markets across the Main line have had large increases in inventory, however, sales in Philadelphia fell 13.4% from one year to the next, reaching its lowest point in five years in the last two months of 2014, while prices increased by 19.1%.
In 19 local markets across the county, prices rose 13% over last year, while real estate sales fell 10.3%.

What this means to you? Buyers and sellers will have to adjust their expectations. Here are some tips from the experts to help you successfully explore the market:

– Start looking early. “Many first-time buyers could not compete in bidding wars of 2014″. “The advice for novice and experienced buyers is to start looking early to get an idea of what they can actually afford and be patient with inventory hoping that more homeowners begin to list their properties.”
– In hot markets such as the Delaware and Wayne areas, remain calm. “As proof that real estate trend like something local, the greater Philadelphia market seems hopeless at this time, with an inventory that remains extremely low and demand from customers increased by 47% from last year.” “It is advisable to take a step back before making an aggressive bid on any home hits the market, since it is easy to get caught in a bidding war. The inventory will soon begin to rise, because many people with houses to sell are hoping to find something to buy first. ”
– Sell your current home first to make your most competitive offer. “We recommend that the buyers who currently own a house to sell first and then buy it, even if it means living in temporary housing for a few months.” “Neighborhoods with large schools are incredibly competitive and I realize that often waive the restriction for a mortgage to win a bidding war here is required. Having the cash from the sale of your home helps get rid this restriction easier as long as buyers can do it. ”

When I talk to friends about my real estate investments in the US, I often get many questions because the investment takes a little off the beaten path. It is very cost effective; yet, few people wish to cross the course and seriously consider the matter. That’s why I took the time to tell my experience, returning to my investments and I hope you will give the keys to invest successfully.

First what are the risks?

First of country risk and the currency risk with the mighty dollar. It is a risk to look for in this type of investment and the United States are a stable democracy, the rule of law … This is not free of its own fiscal imbalances.

The risk of any real estate and rental market. Prices are historically attractive, all ratios rent or buy show in the US but all real estate investing involves risks and rates are artificially low. If a further rise in prices, a slower pace, probably, it is not certain, especially if unemployment was back at the same time that the rates.

“It is important to focus on employment areas and growing population”

The evolution of rents is also subject to question, many US funds have spent billions of dollars to turn foreclosures in apartment houses, which could generate excess supply (not out yet). Then there is always the risk of defaulters, even if one expels five weeks. Therefore prefer attractive areas: employment areas to growing population for the liquidity and rental demand. Florida and Georgia are both markets that I find most attractive today.

Then legal risk, since the United States is the country of lawyers and trial, with very costly procedures, damages “extravagant” according to European standards. It is therefore necessary to ensure civil liability, but any insurance is capped and the risk is never zero. It is strongly recommended to establish a company on site to guard against any attack on the rest of your heritage.
Natural hazards (hurricanes, tornadoes, etc.) more common in the US than in Europe for example, but insurable.

To succeed, it is best to get help from local real estate experts

Before you make a move, you should look for a way to get help before to invest several thousand dollars in a property. I made contact with a local realtor first with whom I had shared contacts.

I highly recommend going through a learned intermediary, ideally having himself invested locally. Indeed it will allow you to buy “key”. You can save time and money and …

– Invest in preselected for their intrinsic quality goods
– Invest in dynamic locations (beware, there are great disparities between US states)
– Put you in touch with reliable local partners, lawyer, accountant, rental manager …
– Helping you daily in your efforts, which can be a little difficult if you are alone
– Advise you on your tax return, your bank account opening in the United States.

Through an intermediary allows you to secure your investment and be guided step by step in your efforts to become owner. For my first investment, this is my way there who advised me. I bought a house in Tampa, Florida, which was quickly renovated and rented at the advertised price, no surprises. Between the time of closing (August 16, 2011) and the first rent (October 2011), he spent six weeks in spite of a major renovation (American efficiency in action!).

Answers to common questions:

Should I go to the USA to invest?

This is not mandatory; with internet, you can do it remotely. The important thing is to have someone you trust locally. This is the solution I chose but if you can go, it’s as well (you can even deduct your flight from your taxes in the United States).

What will happen if my tenant does not pay?

US law is more favorable to the owners that the French law. If your tenant does not pay, he will be deported in a few weeks. You can relet the property in stride.

These houses are not fragile? What risks during cyclones?

The perception of foreigners is often biased, US goods are quite solid. There is a risk of cyclones over some areas like Florida or Alabama but it is covered by insurance, with a compensation value often exceeds the value of the home (in my case, I made sure to double the purchase price).

Real estate has risen since 2010, is it still time to buy?

Indeed, US real estate has taken the value and it is real. But we are still very far valuations before the crash. In the specific case of my investment in Tampa, my gain is now 20%, but the price is right back to the level of 2002 and another 50% as its highest in 2007.

Street art also unknown art urban art is a form of contemporary art movement. Street art gathers all forms of art produced in the street or in public places, and including various methods such as graffiti, graffiti stencils, stickers, posters, video projection, light installations or even ceramics.

Street-art sprinkles the visual universe of large cities. They can be found on walls, sidewalks, and streets, parks, buildings and even monuments. The term street art is also used to differentiate an artistic form of a territorial movement punctuated by vandalism and lawlessness. Although street art is not always legal, artistic value is unquestionable and increasingly in demand. The motivations driving these “street-artists” to perpetrate their art are just as varied as the number of artists themselves.

The desire to be subversive, to provoke, to represent what everyone thinks down is the cause of this current and the street is the widest and most powerful place for this purpose because of its visibility.

Some street artists simply see the environment as a vast blank canvas and most inspiring, while others are simply motivated by the risks encountered when working illegally at a given location. Now better known to the public, street-art is observed from everywhere around the world. This is particularly the case in Berlin Germany, Melbourne Australia and Sao Paulo in Brazil. These three places are, for still unclear reasons, the most prolific areas of the street art spots where we can observe several major works of leaders street artists who are breathtaking.

That being said, all the walls of all the cities of the world can become the perfect canvas for a street artist. Simply push the limits! All major cities have tasted medicine street-art. Paris, London, Bristol, Madrid, Barcelona, Rome, Chicago, San Francisco and of course, New York which is often the scene of gigantic projects, combining activism and protest.

Urban art has been refined over time. Starting from being simple graffiti, it became much greater by the use and juxtaposition of various techniques, unusual materials and became more committed than ever. In this regard, several classes of street artists emerged during the last decade.

Bringing together a wide variety of artists (designers, photographers, stencil artists, painters, graffiti, etc.), their mission is now very accurate. They work to bring street art and activists together in order to regain control of cities held so far by politicians, police and businessmen who define what public space is supposed to be used for, meaning their own benefit instead of thinking of their people and the artists surrounding them.

Most of the groups work together for specific causes such as September 11, wars all over the world, social condition in prisons, mass media, the uncertainty future and so on. In their minds, we live in a world full of lies and by producing forms of art that expose this fact, we shall find the truth at last! They are against oppression, injustice and contempt; they fight for the poor, the rights of gay, women and elderly people. Responsible for a variety of works in the form of posters, graffiti, prints and paintings, they hit straight to the point to make the population think and react.

These examples of street art represent well the essence and magnitude of the movement of urban art, and allow us to better understand their motivations and ideologies.

Taking a guided tour and do the “10 best places of the capital”? No please do not do that!

Obviously Paris without the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and the Louvre is not really Paris. But be confined only to these places would be too simplistic and you would miss a lot trust me.

The main error of a tourist or a traveler passing through Paris is to concentrate only their visit in the capital to famous monuments and neighborhoods which lists the main attractions. Visit Paris in 2CV, not only visit the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame. Immerse yourself in Parisian life, it is also exploring its picturesque neighborhoods and to meet Parisians. The mound quail, the Marais and Place des Vosges, the district of Place Monge and Rue Mouffetard, Maubert neighborhood, docks Saint-Martin, the Indian district of “Little India” around the Passage Brady or Chinatown of the 13th district are places not to be missed if you want to see Paris otherwise. Do not forget to take a tour of the major parks and gardens that make up the capital. (Jardin du Luxembourg, Parc Montsouris, Buttes Chaumont, Bois de Vincennes, Bois de Boulogne)

In summer stroll in the evening on the Quai Saint-Bernard near the Arab World Institute and participate in a session of salsa on the esplanade Jussieu. This is the best place to meet and chat with Paris in the summer. Conducted from early June to late August, the salsa nights docks seine occur free every day from 19h to 23h30 in an idyllic setting and atmosphere “good child.” The event takes place outdoors, the salsa evenings the Seine are canceled in case of rain. Paris live otherwise is to also experience life in neighborhoods of the capital.

Thanks to the presence of unique sites, Paris every year hundreds of film shoots in more than 5000 sites and natural scenery. Among the best known films that were shot in Paris include: Amélie Poulain, Le Petit Nicolas, Rush Hour 3, The Devil Wears Prada, Midnight in Paris, the scum of Days, Cookie.

Visit Paris differently

Visit Paris differently and discover the filming locations of your favorite through pedestrian strolls through Paris films. These walks and cinema journey you will visit the neighborhoods and unexpected places in Paris. We have gathered the filming locations of the major films shot in Paris to discover during a trip to the capital. Other courses film more focused on the theme of a particular film are available on the Golf theater in the city of Paris site.

There are a thousand and one ways to visit Paris. While most tourists or visitors passing through Paris opted for classic Paris tours (including the main monuments of Paris), be aware that there are many ways to explore and discover Paris otherwise. Paris has many neighborhoods and a multitude of monuments more or less unknown to the general public that richly deserve to be discovered with a walk or a weekend in Paris.

The mode of transport plays a major role in the approach visits Paris. Opt for a visit of Paris on board an original Citroen 2cv change your viewing angle different neighborhoods and landmarks of the capital.

Visit Paris in “deudeuche” will give you the unique opportunity to discover Paris otherwise. So, take cyclo to Paris will allow you to soak up the atmosphere of the streets of Paris with the added explanation of a private guide. Even if they are not tour guides in the proper sense of the term, 2cv drivers are above all Parisians. Everyone knows in outline the history of the monuments of Paris and the nooks and crannies and atypical areas of the capital.

Currently in China as I am traveling around the world for a year, I wanted to share a few tips with you guys as it is such a great destination.

Before arriving in Shanghai, I asked a friend to find me a place to stay. Two weeks before I arrived, everything was OK. However, this is China, the place where nothing goes as expected. So I didn’t have a place to stay the first week..

1. How to search your new home?

Internet ads

There are many websites with all kinds of real estate ads.

In France, you can make your debut on the forums Bonjourchine.com which broadcasts some ads. For more advanced users in Chinese, you can try to contact the site Xin Europe (eg France Reve), the website of the Chinese community in Europe.

When you start to be more experienced with chinese websites, there are real estate sites such as 58.com or Ganji.com that are listing many ads by cities, neighborhoods and subway line with the ability to choose your budget. It’s extremely well done, much better than in France. You just have to contact the owner and make the deal. I opted for this option at the beginning, because rents are cheap, then I realized that many owners were not very honest, not mentioning the sixth floor flat had no lift or the apartment was actually too far from the metro station.

Real estate agencies

There are real estate agencies in all neighborhoods. It is of course better to speak Chinese or to bring a Chinese friend to translate. RMB 2000 budget is a good start to get an apartment in a fairly recent building. You can negotiate depending on what you get. Many apartments lack things like a dining table, wardrobe, the owner generally has to provide them otherwise you should ask for a discount.

Check if any fees are included in the rent or if they should be added. Depending on the apartment and compound, prices vary. For mine is 1.9 元 / M2 is 95 元 50 M2. Once everything is OK, you sign a lease, usually for one year. Landlords usually ask for 2 months deposit for furnished flats, plus rent for the coming month, some may ask you to pay 3 months rent, because they see you are a foreigner so you have money. You must refuse, of course.

For gas, electricity, and water I think it varies depending on the compound. For me, I have a card for gas I need to recharge. Water has to be paid to the compound office monthly and electricity, I deal with my owner. Ask your landlord to the arranged the gas before installation and a company will come to set it up for free.

2. What are the different housing options?

Rent an apartment

To search for an apartment to rent in Shanghai, you can go through a real estate agent who will help you in your search. However, you must know that without the right contacts, it is not necessarily easy to find an apartment that suits you. Indeed, local agencies work mainly for Chinese customers who don’t have the same search criteria as us.

I have a friend who was looking for an apartment for more than a week and has viewed more than twenty flats without finding one that suits him. Agencies respect neither the budget nor the location requested and the apartments he visited didn’t match his criteria.

The alternative is to go through classifieds sites like Bonjourchine, Smartshanghai or Craigslist.com. No need to register on Bonjourchine or Craigslist, but you must register (free) to have access to the contact information on Smartshanghai. On these sites you will find ads from people who will leave their home soon and are looking for a new tenant to take over their contract.

Flatsharing

I personally opted for this solution.

If flatsharing is not widespread in France, it is in China, at least in Shanghai. It is extremely easy to find an apartment for rent in Shanghai. Indeed, I found mine in 3 days.
Only 3 days and I’ve had the opportunity to visit fifteen flats so far!

Like if you are looking to rent an apartment, the best way to find a room in a shared house is either word of mouth or the internet.
For French speakers, the site on which you are most likely to find is Bonjourchine. Indeed, new listings are posted daily by members of the forum. You have to be reactive to be among the first to see the apartment because there is a lot of demand.

For English speakers, I recommend using Smartshanghai which provides even more ads than Bonjourchine. In fact, you can choose your budget, the neighborhood you want to live in, with or without pictures, with or without agency.

Be aware that most ads on Bonjourchine are also on Smartshanghai because it increases the chances of finding someone to take over the room.
You can also go through Facebook (only accessible with a VPN) and find ads via groups about Shanghai.

Most apartments I’ve had the opportunity to view were fairly consistent with the description of the ad. This is a good thing because crossing Shanghai from east to west takes a lot of time and if the apartment you visited does not meet your expectations, you’ll waste a lot of time. Some were too far from my work place, other from the metro; sometimes I found myself on a waiting list since first come first serve seems to be the rule; some had confirmed that I could move into the apartment when visiting to cancel the next day but I finally found a room that suits me.

Do you have any tips to share to find accommodation in Shanghai?
For more infos on the topic I recommend you visit Zunest as they really helped me on this one.

With an exotic climate flaunting year-round sunshine, a wide variety of enjoyment locations as well as interesting destinations to experience, Miami is really a holiday maker’s haven. Definitely, included a variety of diverse and colorful communities, the city offers up the chance to broaden ones mind and also unwind from the tests of daily life.

For instance, Coconut Stand, a historic neighborhood in the south, is great for bars, dining establishments and also clubs, as well as an option of bohemian stores to go to. The north, on the other hand, is home to Midtown, where there is a substantial neighborhood of West Indians, Hispanics and also artists for you to join.

Handling to flawlessly catch truth multi-cultural feel of Miami with its packed annual occasions calendar, the city has the ability to entertain and thrill no matter when you prefer to visit. So, if you’re preparing on visiting, it is well worth investigating exactly what’s taking place.

Paying homage to its substantial Hispanic population, the Puerto Rican Plantain Celebration is a fantastic occasion to go to. Happening for one day in January, it is an optimal chance to experience all factors Spanish as plenty of food and also music from the country will be offered. It is specifically great for taking the youngsters along to.

The Oriental Culture Celebration, composed March, is an additional great encounter to be had. Currently in its 19th year, it provides site visitors a real piece of Eastern culture. In addition to the variety of fine arts as well as crafts on display, there is also the possibility to try the cuisine, hear music and also observe some typical sporting occasions – such as Sepak Takraw, which is a no-hands beach ball event from Malaysia that only enables players to utilize their feet, breast, head and knees to touch the sphere.

Miami Style Week of the Americas is additionally a fantastic event where one can experience an amazing array of different styles, trends in different societies and also the influence they have actually carried in fashion. Including a selection of developers from a variety of countries across Latin America, the Caribbean, America, Europe as well as Asia, it usually takes place on Miami’s South Seaside in May and is an essential occasion in the city’s festival schedule.

Additionally during May you can attend the Arabian Nights Celebration. A celebration of Middle-Eastern culture, there is a range of live songs, theater as well as parades for the site visitor to experience. Determined in 1926, it draws in around 20,000 individuals annually and is full of exhilaration and also enjoyable.

Showcasing a host of songs, drumming, lectures and also presentations, the Eastern Social Weekend break is a definite must see. Happening in October, it is set in the spectacular Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, which is worldwide renowned for its collection of uncommon topical plants.

In addition to the occasions pointed out, there is a lot more on offer to attend. Indeed, this preferred location is stuffed with several visitors from Europe that take flights to Miami to experience exactly what is on offer. And when you are considering a browse through to a location that supplies a lot culture, as well as which is embedded in attractive, all year sunshine then it is not too challenging to know Miami’s appeal.

Please note: The info contained within this article is the point of view of the author as well as is planned purely for details as well as passion purposes just. It should not be used to make any kind of ideas or take any actions. Any kind of links are included for information purposes only.

Well known producer Andres Aquino presented the respected honor to Mr. Khansa on the evening of September 9 before an audience of international press and also eager worldwide fashionistas. The outcome of this event adhered to the developer’s style show which presented his most current collection of awesome couture designs performed in luxurious fabrics with lush decorations, each piece being a lot more amazing than the previous one.

Tani Keller of Germany was called “Most Talented Ingenious Designer” in recognition of her great leather couture collection for Spring 2006 qualified “Yard of Eden.” Each piece was an initial couture development, a feast for the eyes.

The 3-day event, which I personally attended, revealed the latest collections of a hand-picked team of worldwide and also American designers, numerous making their first appearance in Vancouver for the very first time. For a variety of designers for whom English is not their first language, obstacles consisted of not just the busy speed of applying a fashion program, but also managing social distinctions and also using interpreters during interviews. As soon as the makeup was in area, hair tousled just so, dress slipped on, and also models lined up, the music began to rock with a crazy rhythm, the lights rose, and also the first design strode into the foot-way.

Exhilaration developed as the cameras started to click and also the designers’ productions emerged. Couture had landed in The big apple with a sprinkle from many international lands.

The collections had names reflecting the creative philosophies and also state of minds of their developers.

From Latvia Anna Osmushkina offered “Paradise”, weightless concepts in natural textiles hand-woven utilizing an original innovation. Decorations in Swarovski and also Kornelius gemstones, ostrich feathers, and organic furs provide included dimension and deluxe. Anna’s shade combination is as airy as the dawn in shades of gold, bronze, increased, sky blue and also white. Handcrafted shawls and capes finished a variety of the graceful feminine ensembles

Galina Dacheva from Bulgaria revealed her “Timeless Style Collection” based on the ancient craft of weaving yet jazzed accelerated to a modern sensibility. The collection is an amalgam of both fashion as well as past history.

The sensational collection from Payal Jain of India was entitled simply “Blanc”, designs fit for a princess. Payal was inspired by the strange weaves of the East as well as the framework of the West. A seemingly easy yet actually complex texturization. Exotic silk weaves are built into streaming
silhouettes with tone on tone treatments.

Lourdes Libman provided her “Unequally Blue” collection, a combo of
exotic taste from her native Dominican Republic and also advanced European style.

The Russian developer contingent provided sturdy collections from three gifted developers:
– Galit Couture, concerning New york city from Russia using Israel, revealed a group of lovely fanciful bridal gowns. These dream-like developments are for the bride-to-be who intends to be the “Belle of the Ball” making an extraordinary entryway on her special day.
– Routa’s designs are visual verse brought to life with an one-of-a-kind perspective on material and also design.
– Lilia Berzon presented a team of sensuous evening styles identified by an ingenious use of materials as well as architectural components.

Among the American developers participating in Couture Style Week was Philadelphia-based Dah-veese whose striking “urban couture” collection features the juxtaposition of trademark jeans with unanticipated fabric combos: fine silk organza, silk dupioni, silk taffeta, silk bed linen as well as cotton with a focus on angles, measurement, depth and structure.

“We have actually currently obtained a multitude of requests from developers worldwide in addition to enrollers intrigued in participating in following period’s fashion shows”, keeps in mind producer Andres Aquino. “So we anticipate this occasion to continuously grow at a fast lane and also to continue to function as the most important platform to offer couture fashion in the main Canadian city.”